PC rules out early LS elections
Ruling out early Lok Sabha elections, Union finance minister P. Chidambaram said that the government is readying for polls only in 2014. He also stressed that there is no threat to the stability of the UPA government.
A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted dinner for the UPA allies, the finance minister claimed that the ruling alliance has the requisite number to tide over any motion bring moved by the Opposition parties.
“We are not threatened. Government is completely stable. Government will complete its term. Government will hold elections in May 2014,” Mr Chidambaram was quoted as having said.
The finance minister also expressed confidence that there would not be any problem to the ruling alliance from allies who have been critical of the government decision to allow the FDI in multi-brand retail.
On the SP rushing in with its first list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections, Mr Chidambaram, while downplaying the significance, stated that the allies are independent political parties. He said that the political parties are preparing for 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Drawing a parallel among political parties preparing in advance for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the finance minister reminded that the Congress has also announced a coordination committee under Rahul Gandhi and three sub-groups to prepare for polls.
The finance minister also rejected the contention of the CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury that the Congress could be planning early elections to cut its losses by stating “Yechury may want to cut his losses but we are not planning elections any time before May 2014”.
On Opposition giving notices for discussion on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, Mr Chidambaram stated the government is prepared for a discussion. He hoped that the Parliament would be allowed to function smoothly and appealed to all parties to understand the “difficult times” faced by the economy.
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